Improvement in elastic hat-blocks



R. EIGKEMEYE'B, Elastic Hat-Block.

N0.'210,771. Patented Dec. 10,1878.

W 3 I jwn/enian PETERS. PHOIO-U'YHOGHAPHER WLSHINGTOM D. C.

UNITED STATES PATEN FFIGE.

RUDOLF EICKEMEYER, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC HAT-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,771, dated December 10, 1878; application filed November 18, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

3e it known that I, RUnoLr EIGKEMEYER, of Yonkers, in the county of \Vestchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elastic Hat- Blocks; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawings furnished and forming a part of the same, is a clear, true, and complete description thereof.

Elastic hat-blocks, composed usually of vulcanized rubber, are used in connection with molds which are smooth or ornamented on their inner surfaces, according to the character ofsurface-flnish desired on a pressed hat. These blocks require much handling; in their use, and they have heretofore been provided with strings or loops, by which they could be lifted into and from the mold. These strings or loops are constantly liable to be pulled from the block, and to speedy wear, requiring frequent renewal; and, moreover, they frequently, by falling over upon one side, engage with the hat while .being pressed, causing a. crease orimpression which involves subsequent re-pressin g for removing it.

The object of my improvements is to obviate these several objections; and my invention consists in an elastic hat-block provided with an aperture at its rear side for the insertion of the hand or fingers, whereby it may be readily handled; and, further, in an elastic hat-block provided with a rigid finger-socket embedded therein; and, still further, in the combination, with an elastic hat-block, of a finger-socket provided with a flange at its inner end. I

An elastic hat-block provided with an aperture at its rear side may be constructed by providing the mold in which it is vulcanized with a projection or core of suitableform to secure such an opening in the block as will atford a good holding contact with the hand, and obviate the use of the loop 5 but in such case the absence of rubber, due to the aperture, is liable to result in a lack of uniform pressure upon the hat, and although fair results would be attained, and such a block be a decided improvement as compared with one having the loop, I prefer that a finger-socket composed of some rigid material be employed,

because through it pressure may be communicated to the rubber intervening between it and the opposite surface at which pressure is to be applied to the hat in the mold and for securing such socket firmly in the rubber, and affording a good bearing for communicating pressure from the rear to the front of the block, I also prefer that said socket be provided with a flange at its inner end.

To more particularly describe my invention, I will refer to the accompanying drawings, in which Figurel represents, in vertical central section, a hat-mold, a hat therein, and an elastic hat-block embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a rigid finger socket. Fig. 3 is a perspective of a rigid finger-socket. Fig. 4 is a top view of the hat-block and mold.

The mold A is as heretofore. The elastic block B is composed of vulcanized rubber, and has an exterior surface which corresponds with the interior of the mold for pressing the hat d.

hen the block is not provided with a socket, I prefer that it have two apertures and a heavy column of rubber between them for communicating pressure centrally, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, provided no rigid socket O was therein contained.

The finger-socket has two openings, respectively for a thumb and finger, and they are inclined toward each other to afford good holding contact in lifting the block. The flange b at the inner end of the socket serves tosecurely unite it with the block, and it also atfords an extensive surface by which pressure is communicated for perfectly pressing the crown of the hat adjacent to its center. This socket may be composed of any suitably rigid material; but I prefer a metal casting as the most economical and eifective.

In the manufacture of the blocks with sockets,

as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An elastic hat-block for pressing hats, provided at its rear side with an aperture for the insertion of the hand or fingers, substantially as described.

2. An elastic hat-block for pressing hats, provided with a rigid finger-socket at its rear side, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with an elastic hat-block for pressing hats, of a rigid fin ger-socket provided at its inner end With. a flange, substantially as described, as and for the purposes set forth.

RUDOLF EIOKEMEYER.

Witnesses GEORGE OSTERHELD, GEORGE HARR. 

